The Daily Freeman reports that mmployment was up in much of the WGXC listening area this past December, compared to a year ago. The state Department of Labor reported Jan. 22 that Greene County gained 500 non-farm jobs (3.4 percent), for 15,000 total, while Columbia County added 200 jobs (0.9 percent), to reach 21,500 employed. Additionally, Ulster County added 800 jobs and the statistical area that comprises Dutchess and Orange counties added 1,000. the labor department said. Read the full story in The Daily Freeman.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 37F; low 23F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 34F; low 23F.[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

READ TEMPERATURE IN HUDSON: On thermometer in Studio A.

FAR LEFT: The temperature on the far left is from the Hawthorne Valley Farm Weather Page.
MIDDLE TEMP: Cairo from Weather Underground page.
FAR RIGHT: Catskill from Weather Underground page.

Local weather forecast
Today’s forecast is specific to Catskill, in Greene County:

Today: Sunny. High near 35. Friday night, a chance of snow, mainly after 4 a.m. Increasing clouds. Low around 24. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Forecast for the next three days:
Saturday: Snow likely, mainly between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. Cloudy. High near 35. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible. Saturday night, a chance of snow showers before 11 p.m., then a slight chance of snow showers after 5 a.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 24.
Sunday: A slight chance of snow showers before 8 a.m. Partly sunny. High near 33. Sunday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 18.
Monday: Cloudy. High near 25. Monday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 4.

Sunrise today: 7:16 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:58 p.m.
Length of the day: 9:42 hrs.

Public meetings
Today is the fourth Friday of the month.
WGXC suggests calling ahead to confirm time and location.
(All numbers are in the 518 area code unless otherwise noted.)

CLERMONT Zoning Board of Appeals, 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 1795 Route 9, Clermont (537-6868).
HUDSON Historic Preservation Commission (tentative), 10 a.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).

The day ahead on WGXC 90.7-FM
1 a.m.: Taran's Free Jazz Hour: Jorgen Mathisen Episode 01 of 2015 of two-hour free jazz show that airs on eight European radio stations and Wave Farm Radio and WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, in New York, in the United States. Click on title to access the playlist.

6 a.m.: Background Briefing with Ian Masters Inside breaking international and national news. A radio program featuring international and national news, expert guests, policy makers and critics with analysis and insight on national security, foreign and domestic policy, political, cultural and social issues. This program goes far beyond the headlines and deep under the radar to bring forward truths unheard in the American media.
7 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show Local news, weather, public meetings, music and more. Live from the WGXC Acra Studio at the Wave Farm Study Center in Greene County. Hosted by Tom Roe.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez. National, daily, independent, award-winning news program providing audiences with access to people and perspectives rarely heard in the U.S. corporate-sponsored media.
9 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show continues.
10 a.m.: ¿Qué cocinaré hoy?: 20150123 This episode features a discussion about the upcoming Black History month, a conversation about nutrition -- the differences between food regulations in the U.S. and in Europe -- the ongoing health insurance open enrollment period and a story about El Sistema de Orquestas de Venezuela, from "La Voz" magazine. Produced by Mariel Fiori and Antonio Flores-Lobos.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: WGXC Evening News
7 p.m.: Guest DJ: Ken Landin Ken Landin and guests will do their usual radio roulette, going ‘round the room and each playing a tune from all different genres: from progressive rock and fusion groups like Yes and King Crimson.

Ryan Anglim is reporting in The Daily Mail a public hearing was held by the Greene County Legislature Wed., Jan. 21, on the Fact-Finder Report released last month in connection with contract negotiations with the Civil Service Employees Association. Approximately 50 people attended the hearing held at Catskill High school -- most were members of the union and Greene County employees. CSEA rejected the recommendations made by the fact-finder. CSEA Labor Relations Specialist Diane Selchick said health insurance remains the key issue for members. She said that while under the plan proposed a member's contribution would decrease, the out-of-pocket costs would be far greater and difficult for many employees to manage. The union has asked the Legislature to resume negotiations. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="220"] New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver
(Courtesy Wikipedia)[/caption]

[Updated 10 a.m.]
Sheldon Silver has been arrested on federal corruption charges. He surrendered to Federal Bureau of Investigation agents early Thursday morning in Lower Manhattan, according to a report from The New York Times. Before entering 26 Federal Plaza, Silver said, “I hope I’ll be vindicated.” Preet Bharara, the United States attorney for the Southern District, who led the investigation, is expected to provide more details about the charges at a 1 p.m. news conference.

The New York Times is reporting federal authorities are expected to arrest Sheldon Silver, the speaker of the New York State Assembly, on corruption charges, Thu., Jan. 22. The investigation that led to the expected charges against Silver began after Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in March abruptly shut down the anti-corruption Moreland Commission he created in 2013. Silver is a Democrat from the Lower East Side of Manhattan. He has served as speaker for more than two decades. According to one source, the charges to be brought against Silver stemmed from payments he received from a small law firm that specializes in seeking reductions of New York City real estate taxes. The total amount of the payments was unclear, but another source said the payments were substantial and were made over several years. Silver failed to list the payments from the firm on his annual financial disclosure filings with the state, as required. During the governor's State of the State address Wednesday, Silver occupied a prominent seat on the stage next to Cuomo. It was unclear when and where Silver would be taken into custody. Read the full story by William K. Rashbaum, Thomas Kaplan and Susanne Craig in The New York Times.

As officials filed in to hear Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's State of the State address Wed., Jan. 21, more than 500 anti-fracking activists from across New York and from Pennsylvania held a victory rally on the concourse of Empire State Plaza. The party then moved across the street to the Albany Hilton. The demonstrators thanked Cuomo for the Dec 17 announcement that, after more than six years of deliberation, High Volume Hydraulic Fracturing would be banned statewide due to science and health concerns. The decision was based on the findings and opinion of state Health Commissioner, Dr. Howard Zucker. At the Hilton Wednesday, leaders of the anti-fracking movement spoke about the importance of this step for the whole nation, the opportunities for new renewable energy sources, and identifying the next issues facing the movement in New York. Speakers spoke of how the potential construction of pipelines, compressor stations and liquefied natural gas export terminals in New York would support fracking in other states. Many of the speakers acknowledged how effective the advocacy of concerned citizens and communities was in influencing the fracking ban decision, thereby making a positive difference for future generations. Cuomo made no mention the ban in the State of the State speech.

PLAY (5:10) Wes Gillingham, co-founder and Program Director of Catskill Mountainkeeper, at the Albany Hilton during the 2015 State of the State address.

Other audio:

Music performances:

PLAY Richie Stearns (Horse Flies, Donna the Buffalo, Natalie Merchant) "You Are My Sunshine" (1:20).
PLAY Youth Against Fracking Choir "You've Been Fracked" (2:30).
PLAY Josh Fox performs "Star Spangled Banner" on banjo (2:04).

Speakers:

PLAY Wenona Hauter, Executive Director, Food & Water Watch (6:30).
PLAY Elizabeth Betta Broad, Energy and Climate Program Manager, Catskill Mountainkeeper (5:06).
PLAY Dr. Sandra Steingraber, New Yorkers Against Fracking, biologist, author, cancer survivor (10:20).
PLAY Julia Walsh, Frack Action (6:50).
PLAY Renee Vogelsang, Frack Action (1:19).
PLAY Isaac Silberman-Gorn, Citizen Action (3:05).
PLAY David Braun, Americans Against Fracking (4:05).
PLAY Josh Fox, director "Gasland" and "Gasland 2" (13:50).

All audio recorded and produced by WGXC volunteer Sam Sebren.

The Times Union is reporting Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo began the 2015 State of the State address on Wed., Jan. 21, touting past efforts to cut income and property taxes, unveiling plans to spend billions of dollars on upstate economic development and laying out a proposal to dramatically overhaul the state's education system and teacher evaluations. The speech was accompanied by the unveiling of the governor's proposed $141.6 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Cuomo's education reform package that includes 100 more charter schools, a parochial school tax credit and 50 percent of teacher evaluations based on state tests. Cuomo also announced the nation's first College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security & Cybersecurity, would be built at the University at Albany. Read the full story in the Times Union.

Scott Waldman in Capital New York reports that the state Public Service Commission has for a third time delayed making a decision on the proposed merger of Time Warner Cable and Comcast. The commission is now expected to take up the issue on Feb. 26 with a final order being issued by March 3, according to the story. The article implies this delay is to wait until after the Federal Communications Commission makes its long-awaited decision on net neutrality in mid-February. The PSC is ruling on the New York part of the merger, the FCC would later have to sign-off on the merger nationally. Read the full story in Capital New York.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 36F; low 16F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 35F; low 15F.[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

READ TEMPERATURE IN HUDSON: On thermometer in Studio A.

FAR LEFT: The temperature on the far left is from the Hawthorne Valley Farm Weather Page.
MIDDLE TEMP: Cairo from Weather Underground page.
FAR RIGHT: Catskill from Weather Underground page.

Local weather forecast
Today’s forecast is specific to Catskill, in Greene County:

Today: A slight chance of light snow showers before 10 a.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 34. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent. Thursday night, partly cloudy. Low around 16.

Forecast for the next three days:
Friday: Mostly sunny. High near 33. Friday night, partly cloudy. low around 18.
Saturday: A chance of snow after 10 a.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 37. Saturday night, a slight chance of snow showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy. Low around 25.
Sunday: Partly sunny. High near 32. Sunday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 14.

Sunrise today: 7:16 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:57 p.m.
Length of the day: 9:40 hrs.

Public meetings
Today is the fourth Thursday of the month.
WGXC suggests calling ahead to confirm time and location.
(All numbers are in the 518 area code unless otherwise noted.)

CHATHAM Village Board meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Village Hall, 77 Main Street, Chatham (392-5821).
COLUMBIA COUNTY Board of Supervisors Public Safety Committee meeting, 5 p.m. at 401 State Street, Hudson (828-1527).
COPAKE Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 230 Mt. View Road, Copake (329-1234).
DURHAM Task Force meeting, 7 p.m., Town Building, 7309 St. Route 81, East Durham (239-8260).
GERMANTOWN Planning Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 50 Palatine Park Road, Germantown (537-6687).
GREENVILLE Board of Education meeting, 7 p.m. at high school, Route 81, Greenville (966-5070).
HUDSON Community Development and Planning Agency board meeting (tentative), 6 p.m. at 1 N. Front St., Hudson (751-1044).
STUYVESANT Greenway Committee meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 5 Sunset Drive, Stuyvesant (758-6248).
WINDHAM Town Board meeting, 8 p.m. at Town Hall, 371 State Rt. 296, Hensonville (734-4170).

The day ahead on WGXC 90.7-FM
6 a.m.: Background Briefing with Ian Masters Inside breaking international and national news. A radio program featuring international and national news, expert guests, policy makers and critics with analysis and insight on national security, foreign and domestic policy, political, cultural and social issues. This program goes far beyond the headlines and deep under the radar to bring forward truths unheard in the American media.
7 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show: Gbenga Akinnagbe Actor Gbenga Akinnagbe will join host Michelle Lewis by phone during the first hour. Akinnagbe is a Nigerian American actor, best known for his role as Chris Partlow on the HBO original series "The Wire." He will discuss his acting career, his role as a community activist and common misconceptions in the U.S. about Africa. Akinnagbe will also provide advice on how to follow your dreams. Plus, local news, weather, public meetings, music and more. Live from the Hudson studio.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez. National, daily, independent, award-winning news program providing audiences with access to people and perspectives rarely heard in the U.S. corporate-sponsored media.
9 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show continues.
10 a.m.: Prison Voices Project: Naomi Murakawa, Tony Platt Interviews with Professor Naomi Murakawa of Princeton University and author of, 'The First Civil Right: How Liberals Built Prison America" and Dr. Tony Platt, visiting scholar at The University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, and author of "The Child Savers: The Invention of Delinquency." The program takes a critical look at criminal justice reforms, particularly in the context of recent events in Ferguson, Missouri and Staten Island. It also features the poem Riot Act, April 29, 1992 by Ai and read by poet Reginald Dwayne Betts. Produced by Alexandra Cox.
2 p.m.: Catskill Cabin Conversations: Tom Antonoff The guest for the January episode -- broadcast at a special day and time -- is Tom Antonoff. He was born in Allentown, Penn., and graduated from SUNY Oswego in 1981, with a degree in geology. During the course of his career, Antonoff has been a petroleum geologist and an environmental geologist. His hobbies include eating, photography, racing (Triathlons) and hiking and camping. He is a member and lay leader at Dolgeville United Methodist Church. His son is an Air Force pilot, and his daughter a mathematician and data manager. Antonoff has no pets, no artificial joints, no false teeth, and no food or drug allergies. However, corrective lenses are required. He has been a male since 1959. Produced by Mike Porter and Andy Reid.
3 p.m.: Radio Theatre: Morton Feldman Says "Morton Feldman Says, Robert Ashley," from April 9, 2011 WGXC broadcast. Performed by Bill Hellermann and Max Goldfarb. Hellermann and Goldfarb perform Robert Ashley's "Morton Feldman Says" live in WGXC 90.7-FM's Hudson Studio on April 9, 2011. Wave Farm Executive Director Galen Joseph-Hunter introduces the broadcast, and asks a few questions afterward.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show: Louise Bliss, Dan Seward Louise Bliss, President of the Hudson River Historic Boat Restoration & Sailing Society will be in the studio to discuss the society's plans for 2015. Dan Seward, proprietor of John Doe Records, located in Hudson and Catskill, (and host of WGXC's "Battlefield Earth") will talk about Hudson's recent past, the first in a series called “Hudson is Changing.” Plus local news, weather, events, music and more, live from the Hudson studio. Hosted by Ellen Thurston and Tom DePietro, with Jake "The Intern" Ebel.
6 p.m.: WGXC Evening News: Elric Walker, Ryder Cooley Local news, weather, listings of public meetings and national headlines from Public News Service. Plus, live performance from Elric Walker on guitar accompanied by Ryder Cooley on accordion and singing saw from "WGXC Afternoon Show" Jan. 16. The duo performs at BSP in Kingston Jan. 22.

Arthur Cusano is reporting in the Register Star the Columbia County Board of Supervisors has narrowed the field of bidders to purchase the Pine Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center to two. Long Island-based Premier Healthcare Management and Centers Health Care, a company based in the Bronx, are vying to purchase the 120-bed county-owned nursing facility located in Philmont. The board's Pine Haven subcommittee voted Tue., Jan. 20, to hold a public hearing on the two purchase proposals in early February. At the hearing each company will make a half-hour presentation, followed by a 15-minute question and answer period with the public. Subcommittee member Clifford Wiegelt, who represents Claverack, voted against the measure, saying more research should have been put into other options. Weigelt was one of several subcommittee members to vote against selling the facility last year. The hearing will be held on Feb. 2 or Feb. 5 at 401 State St. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Matthew Hamilton is reporting at Capitol Confidential a recent Siena College poll shows Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s favorability rating is at 60 percent, an increase of two percent in one month. His job performance rating also increased. On the eve of his fifth State of the State address, Cuomo is viewed favorably by more than three-quarters of Democrats and New York City voters, and favorably by independents and downstate suburbanites. Upstate voters are evenly divided and Republicans are decidedly unfavorable, according to Siena College pollster Steven Greenberg. Voters are less supportive of the implementation of the Common Core standards. Forty-nine percent of voters say implementation should be stopped. On the policy side of things, among those surveyed jobs and education are still the two most important topics voters want lawmakers to focus on this year. Read the full post at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.

Mid-Hudson News reports that New York State Bridge Authority officials say overnight automated bridge tolls on the Rip Van Winkle bridge and other Hudson River bridges implemented last year to save money are working well. Executive Director Joseph Ruggiero says, “We have the gate that still comes down so if there is somebody having a problem at the automatic toll payment machine, they can interact with our central command center and we are able to assist the customer remotely and we have had hardly any problems with folks paying.” Customers without E-ZPass may pay their tolls with a credit or debit card on those bridges during the overnight hours. Read the full story at Mid-Hudson News.

Diane Valden reports in The Columbia Paper that Copake adopted a detailed Farmland Protection Plan at its Jan. 8 meeting, as an addendum to the Town’s Comprehensive Plan. A $25,000 grant from the state Department of Agriculture and Markets in December 2012 paid for a local committee to “identify farmlands to be protected; develop strategies and programs to protect farmland and encourage agriculture: build a consensus among town officials, farmers and landowners about how to implement farmland protection strategies and encourage agriculture; and make suggestions, where necessary, to update land use and zoning regulations to become consistent with protecting farmland and encouraging agriculture,” according to its mission statement. Among the group's findings: Copake agricultural products include dairy, beef, hay, horses, a variety of livestock, poultry, fruit, vegetables, corn, grain, wood products, nursery plants, bees, maple syrup, hops, alfalfa, soybeans and seeds; 13 percent of farms are organic; Copake farms and land used in agriculture contribute about $13 million in assessed land value. Add in land that is part of a residential parcel used for agriculture and the contribution grows to about $26 million; 14,054 acres are in the state Agricultural District, 78% or 10,914 acres are in active farming; about 149 farmed parcels are located within the state Agricultural District; 9,199 acres receive an agricultural assessment as part of the New York State program or about 84% of all farmlands; 40 percent of Copake farmers rely on rented land to support their operations. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 30F; low 18F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 30F; low 19F.[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

READ TEMPERATURE IN HUDSON: On thermometer in Studio A.

FAR LEFT: The temperature on the far left is from the Hawthorne Valley Farm Weather Page.
MIDDLE TEMP: Cairo from Weather Underground page.
FAR RIGHT: Catskill from Weather Underground page.

Local weather forecast
Today’s forecast is specific to Catskill, in Greene County:

Today: Mostly sunny. High near 28. Wednesday night, a slight chance of snow showers after 3 a.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 18. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Forecast for the next three days:
Thursday: A slight chance of snow showers before 8 a.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 32. Thursday night, mostly clear. Low around 17.
Friday: Mostly sunny. High near 33. Friday night, mostly cloudy. low around 17.
Saturday: A chance of snow after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 35. Saturday night, a chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy. Low around 24.

Sunrise today: 7:17 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:56 p.m.
Length of the day: 9:38 hrs.

Public meetings
Today is the third Wednesday of the month.
WGXC suggests calling ahead to confirm time and location.
(All numbers are in the 518 area code unless otherwise noted.)

CATSKILL Town Board meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 439 Main St., Catskill (943-2141).
COLUMBIA COUNTY Board of Supervisors Human Services Committee meeting, 5 p.m. at County Office Building, 401 State Street, Hudson (828-1527).
GHENT Planning Board, 7 p.m., at Town Hall, 2306 State Route 66, Ghent (392-4644).
GREENE COUNTY Legislature meeting, 6:30 p.m. All at County Building, 411 Main St., Catskill (719-3270).
GREENE COUNTY Legislature public hearing on CSEA collective bargaining agreement, 7:30 p.m. in Catskill High School auditorium, 341 W. Main St., Catskill (719-3270).
HUDSON Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
STUYVESANT Zoning Revision Committee meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 5 Sunset Dr., Stuyvesant (758-6248).
TACONIC town meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 909 Rte. 82, Taghkanic (851-7638).
TACONIC HILLS Board of Education meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Central Office boardroom, 73 Co. Rte. 11A, Craryville (325-2800).

The day ahead on WGXC 90.7-FM
1 a.m.: Vital Weekly: Leonel Kaplan Episode 965 of weekly experimental new music show, by folks formerly behind Staalplaat. Click on title for playlist 965.

6 a.m.: Background Briefing with Ian Masters Inside breaking international and national news. A radio program featuring international and national news, expert guests, policy makers and critics with analysis and insight on national security, foreign and domestic policy, political, cultural and social issues. This program goes far beyond the headlines and deep under the radar to bring forward truths unheard in the American media.
7 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show News, weather, events, music and more. Live from the WGXC Hudson studio. Hosted by Michelle Lewis.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez. National, daily, independent, award-winning news program providing audiences with access to people and perspectives rarely heard in the U.S. corporate-sponsored media.
9 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show continues.
10 a.m.: @Issue: Tiffany Martin Hamilton Hudson resident Tiffany Martin Hamilton will discuss her planned run for mayor. Hosted by Victor Mendolia and Debora Gilbert with Debby Mayer. Mendolia is chairman, and Mayer is a member of the Hudson City Democratic Committee.
11 a.m. The Bedazzled Radio Hour: Kim Fowley [Note special time] Tribute to Kim Fowley who passed away January 15. Show will feature songs from throughout his career, but concentrate on work from the 60's and 70's. Selections by Fowley solo, B. Bumble & The Stingers, The Renegades, The Bush, The Murmaids, Cat Stevens, Paul Revere & The Raiders, The Seeds, Soft Machine, The Rivingtons, The Hollywood Argyles and more. Produced by Spike Priggen. Note: Special time due to the live broadcast of the State of the State address at 1 p.m.
1 p.m.: New York State of Opportunity Live broadcast of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's "New York State of Opportunity" address from Empire Plaza in Albany. Former state Sen. Cecilia Tkaczyk (and host of the upcoming WGXC show "The Albany Report") and Tom DePietro, (host of WGXC's "We the People") will provide commentary and analysis leading into the address and then close the program. "New York State Opportunity" is the 2015 State of the State address with the annual state budget presentation included. The governor's presentation begins at 1:30 p.m.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: WGXC Evening News

John Mason is reporting in the Register Star the plan to locate a Hawthorne Valley food store at the corner of Warren and Fifth streets in Hudson has been abandoned by both Hawthorne Valley Farm and the Galvan/Initiatives Foundation, owner and developer of the property. Unanticipated costs overwhelmed the farm store, and hoped-for funding failed to materialize. Galvan was responsible for construction of the core and shell of the building located at 449 Warren St. Hawthorne Valley was in charge of the build-out of the ground floor retail and the second story classroom spaces. Martin Ping, executive director of the Hawthorne Valley Association, said Mon., Jan. 19, Hawthorne Valley is still committed to finding a space in Hudson. “We all gave it our best shot,” he said. “Everybody worked in good faith. But the condition of the site was more than we anticipated....and the numbers weren’t really working." Galvan will now complete construction work at the location and lease the building for any allowable commercial purpose. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Jim Planck is reporting in The Daily Mail the first of two sewer easement sessions for property owners in the Leeds-Jefferson Heights Sewer District was held at Catskill Town Hall, Sat., Jan. 17. The meeting was set up to let landowners know where and why the upcoming sewer project will need access along certain properties. Project Manager Mary Beth Bianconi, from Delaware Engineering, said the goal of the sessions is to make sure all property owner questions are answered. “People have been giving us excellent feedback,” she said. A second informational session will be held at Catskill Town Hall, beginning at 4 p.m., Tue., Jan. 20. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

The Associated Press is reporting a poll released Mon., Jan. 19, indicated two-thirds, or 66 percent, of New Yorkers think race relations in the state are fair or poor, compared to 51 percent a year ago. The Siena College poll reflects attitudes following the deaths of unarmed black men at the hands of white police officers in Ferguson, Missouri, and Staten Island. The poll found 81 percent of New York state residents, and 72 percent in New York City, view their own police favorably. The poll of 802 New York registered voters was conducted between Jan. 11 and Jan. 15.

Casey Seiler is reporting at Capitol Confidential Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's Commission on Youth, Public Safety and Justice released its 176-page report Mon., Jan. 19. The commission was set up to examine the state's policy of processing 16- and 17-year-olds in the criminal system. The report noted that youthful offenders are twice as likely as other inmates to be abused by staff or other prisoners; five times more likely to be sexually assaulted; and more likely to commit suicide. They are also 25 percent more likely to reoffend. The commission recommended raising the age of juvenile jurisdiction in two steps: From 16 to 17 at the beginning of 2017, and to 18 at the beginning of 2018. The age when juvenile jurisdiction would begin would shift from age 7 to 12, although the age at which murder could be dealt with in the juvenile courts would remain 10. Offenders younger than 18 would be kept out of adult prisons or jails, and would be incarcerated in special facilities of fewer than 25 beds where they could serve out their sentence up to age 21. Among its other recommendations, the report calls for the creation of new youth courts to deal with criminal cases involving offenders younger than 18. Cuomo accepted the findings of the panel as a whole, and said he would move to transform the recommendations into legislation. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 29F; low 10F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 31F; low 12F.[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

READ TEMPERATURE IN HUDSON: On thermometer in Studio A.

FAR LEFT: The temperature on the far left is from the Hawthorne Valley Farm Weather Page.
MIDDLE TEMP: Cairo from Weather Underground page.
FAR RIGHT: Catskill from Weather Underground page.

Local weather forecast
Today’s forecast is specific to Catskill, in Greene County:

Today: Partly sunny. High near 31. Tuesday night, partly cloudy. Low around 8.

Forecast for the next three days:
Wednesday: Increasing clouds. High near 31. Wednesday night, a chance of light snow, mainly after midnight. Cloudy. Low around 17.
Thursday: A chance of light snow, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy. High near 32. Thursday night, partly cloudy. Low around 14.
Friday: Mostly sunny. High near 29. Friday night, partly cloudy. low around 19.

Sunrise today: 7:18 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:55 p.m.
Length of the day: 9:36 hrs.

Public meetings
Today is the third Tuesday of the month.
WGXC suggests calling ahead to confirm time and location.
(All numbers are in the 518 area code unless otherwise noted.)

COLUMBIA COUNTY Board of Supervisors Health and Medical Services Committee meeting, 4 p.m. at 401 State St., Hudson (828-1527).
DURHAM Town Board meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Town Building, 7309 State Rt. 81, East Durham (239-8260).
HILLSDALE Town Board meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall on Main Street, Hillsdale (325-5073).
HUDSON Common Council Finance Committee meeting, 5:30 p.m.; Formal Common Council meeting, 7 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
HUNTER Town Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 5748 Route 23A, Tannersville (589-6150).
LEXINGTON Town Board meeting, 7 p.m., at Municipal Building, 3542 Route 42, Lexington, (986-6303).
PHILMONT Planning Board meeting, 7 p.m., Philmont Village Hall, 124 Main St., Philmont (672-7032).
TAGHKANIC Planning Board workshop meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, Route 82, West Taghkanic (851-7638).

COXSACKIE-ATHENS public forum, 6:30 p.m. at E.J. Arthur Elementary School, 51 Third St., Athens (731-1700). For community comment and questions concerning the proposed grade reconfiguration of the Coxsackie-Athens elementary schools. The proposal will eliminate the community school model in favor of a Princeton plan-type arrangement. This is the second of two forums. Child care will be provided.

WGXC Community Programming Advisory Committee meeting, 5:30 p.m. at the WGXC Hudson studio, 704 Columbia St., 2nd Fl., Hudson (697-7400). WGXC Community Programming Advisory Committee reviews incoming program applications, conduct programming evaluations and provide feedback about the community program schedule. The public is welcome to attend.

The day ahead on WGXC 90.7-FM
6 a.m.: Background Briefing with Ian Masters Inside breaking international and national news. A radio program featuring international and national news, expert guests, policy makers and critics with analysis and insight on national security, foreign and domestic policy, political, cultural and social issues. This program goes far beyond the headlines and deep under the radar to bring forward truths unheard in the American media.
7 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show News, weather, events, music and more. Live from the WGXC Hudson studio. Hosted by Mr. “Peetie Pete” Lievense.
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Some of the stories that made the news Fri., Jan. 16 through Mon., Jan. 19:

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="150"] Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in New York City, Jan. 18.
(Courtesy Cuomo Flickr stream.)[/caption]

Matthew Hamilton reported at Capitol Confidential Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has proposed another increase in the minimum wage. In an announcement made Sun., Jan. 18, Cuomo put forward the idea of boosting the wage to $10.50 per hour statewide by the end of 2016. The announcement was a piece of his upcoming Opportunity Agenda, a State of the State/Executive Budget hybrid proposal set for release in full on Wed., Jan. 21. The minimum wage is now $8.75 per hour and will rise to $9 per hour in 2016.

Jim Planck reported in The Daily Mail the Cairo Town Board revealed last week it finds the town's proposed new zoning law unfriendly to business development. Board members said the document overly favors environmental and aesthetic aspects, while it restricts commercial and business development in the extreme. Planning board Chairman Dan Benoit said the restrictions contained within the draft are "a disincentive to the wanted and needed development" of Cairo. Benoit said the board submitted comments on the 2014 draft early last year, but it was his understanding the Town Board never reviewed them. Following public comment, a revision of the draft was returned to the Planning Board, but more than 95 percent of the board's recommendations were not addressed in the newest version, Benoit said.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="220"] Eastbound on the Rip Van Winkle Bridge.
(Courtesy Wikipedia.)[/caption]

The Mid-Hudson News Network reported traffic and revenues on all five bridges over the Hudson River operated by the New York State Bridge Authority increased by 6 percent in December. During the 12-month period that ended Dec. 31, traffic rose to nearly 59 million crossings, and revenue increased to $55 million. The increase in traffic and revenue was attributed to mild weather and lower gas prices last month. In 2014 compared to 2013, the Rip Van Winkle Bridge, which connects Catskill and Greenport, saw the greatest increases in revenue of the five bridges, up more than 3 percent. Traffic on the Rip Van Winkle was up nearly 2.5 percent. The Newburgh-Beacon Bridge, the busiest of all five structures, saw annual traffic decrease in 2014 compared to 2013.

John Mason reported in the Register Star the Hudson Planning Board last week approved a proposal to create a retail food complex in the former Ackerman Appliance building on upper Warren St. Developer Howard Crouch intends to put a restaurant, juice bar, a retail bakery as well as a commercial bakery in the large, brick commercial building located at the corner of Warren and Eighth streets. The city Historic Preservation Commission has already approved the project. The main market will be located at ground level; the public will enter from Eighth Street. The target date for opening is late fall, 2015.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="169"] Eagle Scout presentation kit.
(Courtesy Wikipedia.)[/caption]

Katie Kocijanski is reporting in The Daily Mail Khial (KYLE) Forges, Jr., of Boy Scout Troop 32 of Elizaville, attained the rank of Eagle Scout during a ceremony Sun., Jan. 18, held at the Elizaville Fire Department. The event was attended by U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson and Assemblyman Pete Lopez. Forges was the 345th scout to attain that rank in Columbia County since 1923. For his Eagle project, Forges built five benches for use by the public at the Ramshorn Livingston Sanctuary in Catskill. He will graduate from Catskill High School in June, and intends to enter the U.S. Army. Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scout program.